Photo: Supplied.
BY ASHLEIGH HOWARTH
With temperatures beginning to drop, bayside residents are being urged to pick up a few extra items at the shops to help people doing it tough, with the team from Rosies Wynnum Manly hoping to boost supplies ahead of winter.
With the charity helping roughly 200 people each week, branch coordinator Bruce Corrie said donations of non-perishable food as well as blankets, warm clothing, swags and sleeping bags are needed to support those who are experiencing homelessness, living in cars, couch-surfing or struggling to make ends meet.
“We are always in need of donations to help our friends who rely on us each week for a simple cuppa, a bite to eat, and someone to chat to,” he said.
“Sadly, the number of people we help has increased in the past few years, so we need the community’s help more than ever.
“Food items like cups of soup, noodles, tea, coffee, Milo, soft drinks, muesli bars and other tasty snacks ensure people have something to fill their belly, while donations of resealable bags, which allow people to take food away in, are also extremely useful.
“Some other items we need include antibacterial wipes to clean down the benches and the cupboards in our van.”
This year marks 10 years since Bruce established Rosies Wynnum Manly after retiring.
“I saw a billboard advertising Rosies in Wynnum, so I called the number and found out it was actually the number for the head office,” he said.
“I went in and spoke to them about starting up the Wynnum Manly Branch and as they say, the rest is history.”
The branch has around 140 volunteers who help each week.
Outreach services are held at St Peter’s Anglican Church on Charlotte Street every Monday from 9:00am to 11:00am, and at the corner of Tingal Road and Charlotte Street every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.
Donations can be dropped off during outreach services, at the group’s hub at Myhorizon, or you can send an email to [email protected] to arrange a pickup.
